A popular Memphis artist is still painting at 80!  It seems not age, or illness, can slow down Mary Lawrence Allen.

The renowned painter is a six time cancer survivor!  Still, she uses her art, to help others.

Debbie Churchey is with the Maternal League, one of the organizations that is helped.

• Art With a Heart
• Artist Reception
• Thursday
• 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• KROC Center
• 800 E. Parkway South
• Exhibit Ends March 31

• http://maternalleagueofmemphis.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Maternal-League-of-Memphis/134877496582295

As we wait  for the anticipated release of  K.Michelle’s album Pain Medicine; she releases another mixtape For Colored Girls. It’s so much I want to say about this mixtape but I don’t want to force my opinions on anybody….which means once i give you the details you must download and listen for yourself. There is something about an artist that connects with their audience, their fans that’s just plan genuine. Oh, and if you don’t believe what I say about K.Michelle just read the enclosed letter with the mixtape.

Here’s the website to download the mixtape www.kmichellefans.com (just follow the links)

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Yall email me and let me know what you think…

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“7Days.7People.7Questions”

There is no way I can deny good music, and my ears never exclude any genre. I have fell into the wonderful world of Jazz. The music is so soothing and it really touches the soul. I love it when I meet young men that inspire to be the greatest in other genres of music. It’s very rare that you come across those men, but Sounds of  Marqué made me follow the sound waves of his saxophone and introduced me to a new experience.

Check out the 7Questions Interview Below: Comment.Share.Subscribe

BestofBella: Introduce yourself to the world. (Where are you from? What is it that you do? etc.)

SoundsofMarqué: *clears throat* Well, my name is Marqué Boyd (Sounds of Marqué being my stage name), 24-years-old, and a Memphis, TN native – born and raised. I graduated from Craigmont High School in 2004 and attended Florida A & M University for two years, where I was a member of the infamous “Marching 100” band. I returned to Memphis to further pursue my music career. So, what is it that I do? I could simply say I’m a saxophonist or that I play the saxophone, but it’s more than that. The saxophone is my tool: my tool of choice to make music that penetrates from your ears to soul, my tool of choice to bring you that soulful approach to jazz, my tool of choice to create music that people can groove to again. I’ve been in various bands, played at various venues and events, but now I’m trying to establish myself as a solo artist.

BestofBella: Well gone then Mr. Saxophonist! How long have you been (in your industry)?

I was introduced to the saxophone at the tender age of 5 and I’ve been playing since I was 13-years-old (started in middle school). I’ve been pursuing a solo career for about two years now.

BestofBella: Wow, you began early! Who was your inspiration?

SoundsofMarqué: I’ve been inspired by a number of people, mostly musicians. (not to mention that I idolize Kirk Whalum) But my mother is and has been one of my biggest inspirations because early in childhood, she instilled in me to never give up on my dreams and aspirations.  From the day she bought me my first saxophone, I’ve been trying to make her proud.

BestofBella: Yes parents are the greatest. What are you working on now?

SoundsofMarqué: I’m currently working with local club/mixtape DJ, Rock Steddy, on my sophomore project. My first mixtape, Rhythm & Jazz: The Unthinkable, received (and continues to receive) an exceptional amount of love and support. Rock Steddy heard the mixtape and said he wanted to work with me, so I’ve decided to do it again. This next project, which I will leave the name a mystery for now, has an expected release date of February 2011. Trust me, if you enjoyed Rhythm & Jazz, you’ll appreciate this one even more – it features more current hip hop and R&B tracks. Meanwhile, I’m working on my first original project with other musicians in the Memphis area. These two projects are keeping me busy, but that’s how I like to be. OH, and I’m cooking up a nice event for Valentine’s day 2011. Stay tuned for more details.

BestofBella: Dj Rock Steddy has graced the pages of this site a lot lately. Make sure you send me the exclusive details on your VDay event. Any past/future/present collaborations worth mentioning? Lol

SoundsofMarqué: My upcoming project with DJ Rock Steddy – you all will definitely want to cop that.

BestofBella: So now that my readers/subscribers know a little about you, where can people find your work (Fb.twitter,website,etc)?

SoundsofMarqué: People can download Rhythm & Jazz: The Unthinkable from my website, www.soundsofmarque.com. It’s a project I put together in an attempt to bridge the gap between jazz and hip hop: two genres in music that are more similar than people know. Check out the Facebook fan page by searching “Sounds of Marque.” My team keeps that updated daily. And of course, follow me on Twitter: @SO_Marque

Official website: www.soundsofmarque.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/c8YPhm

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SO_Marque

BestofBella: I surely appreciate you putting effort to bridging that gap. I love your music. Any advice to others that’s in the same industry as you?

SoundsofMarqué: The only advice I have is never give up on your dream – it’s up to you to wake up and make it a reality. The journey isn’t going to be easy (no one said life would be easy, and my trail has been anything but a walk through the park) but life is journey, not a destination. And it’s about all the lessons you learn along the way – enjoy it.

Check out his single Smooth Runnin Below.

’7Days.7People.7Questions’

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In the city of Memphis, there are a lot of creative people. Some people you may have never heard of and some the entire city knows. In Memphis, we don’t fall short of any industry. The industry can consist of music, acting, singing, culinary arts, graphic designers, sports, fashion etc. With the diverse industries circulating, it’s my job to make sure you know who and what these people do. During this segment of 7Questions, we will be talking to Reggie P Fine. This interview was very interesting and deep. He actually inspired me!

Check out the interview below:

BestofBella: So Reggie P Fine…Introduce yourself to the world.

ReggiePFine: Where should I begin .. ,Born 1989 , MAY 11 th , west side of Long beach california with an Art.. Born a Linchpin. I moved to Millington Tn 2005 , enrolled at Millington High schooL .. Ha, big change for me , depressing change . I played football for the first year then couldn’t play any longer my grades had dropped , I found my self being class clown and being known as Cali aka Baby Reggie as the ladies would say .. Ha ha . At the beginning of our senior year our big rival game was coming up M&M bowL .. I worked at skate land Raleigh so I learned the 101′s of promotion from there , so I knew I could throw the after party , which I did , with my right hand man DjQ and it was a success…..big success! After that I knew what I was going to do and that consist of being my own boss.

I’m a Hustler , a business man . I throw events , I also host them , I do marketing and promotion , some would say I rap , but I don’t , I just speak on what I do , how I feel , Recently I just been making club singles , if you’re in the Club every week , every weekend , you should know what’s hot . But I will soon drop a Mix tape , with meaning , I find it as a way of venting through music, which music is how I live everyday, makes the world go around . The mix tape will be about everything I have experienced , the lime life, the struggle, the girls, the friends, the enemy’s, the ups and downs, the positivity and the negativity . I just want to relate to everyone my age , trying to find themselves and what to do, I hope to speak for everyone in this Mixtape not just me . 

BestofBella: Yeah I know Dj Q….That’s wsup! How long have you been (in your industry)?

ReggiePFine: I’m part of a great promotional marketing Collegiate team, Mula Gwala that was founded by me and my right hand man Dj Rocksteddy since 2010 of March, but were all our own boss, no one is a ceo , no one is a president we all have a dream, and a goal. The main important one is to work together, and stay focus. There are 3 Markets Mula Gwala is in, Memphis, TN; Pine Bluff, AR; Knoxville, TN .. And a college/city coming near you.

BestofBella: Who was your inspiration?

ReggiePFine: My inspiration has to be my father and mother. Threw all of the down falls and hard times , they still stuck together to raise a beautiful family . And I thank them .

BestofBella: Yes Salute to the parents! What are you working on now?

ReggiePFine: Working on MG booking Agency: book any artist from us .

Also on November 20th we have  ’2 Chainz’ Titty Boi performing live at Club Envy doors open at 10 with Dj Lil Larry and Rocksteddy on the turn tables . Powered by Hunter Promotion, Concrete Magazine, & Mula Gwala .

After that we have the biggest Party of the year at Pink palace Mansion party Wednesday Thanksgiving break November 24 First Day Out of SchooL 3050 Central Ave Pink Palace doors open at 10 .. Powered by Mula Gwala , G2 .

Also we will soon release a date for my first mixtape to drop .

Really I don’t want to accept performance dates until I feel I have put my all into rapping . Its people who are trying to make changes in the world through their music like my partner Skewby . He takes it serious, he’s determined . I do have a couple dates I’ll be performing around University of Memphis campus , soon to be announced by Dj Rocksteddy.

BestofBella: Sounds good to me. Any past/future/present collaborations worth mentioning? Lol

ReggiePFine: I would like a future collaboration with Chipp Da Ripper .

BestofBella: Where can people find you or your work?

ReggiePFine: Hit me up on Twitter/reggiepfine
Reggiepfine /Facebook

Mulagwala@gmail.com

BestofBella: Any advice to others that’s in the same industry as you?

ReggiePFine: You become a winner, because your good at losing . Never give up, NEVER. Life is what you make it!

It’s just the beginning!
You wanna follow your dreams get down with the team . MULA GWALA !
BestofBella: Anything Else…Baby Reggie? lol

ReggiePFine: S.O to everyone in Memphis, and Long beach California. The hardest grinding two city’s I have lived in, and have witnessed the struggle and grind to stay alive!

S.O to everyone hustling, working everyday to make ends meet . I know how hard it is to follow a dream, stay positive, have faith, and to believe when it seems like your problems get bigger and worst day by day , min by min .

Well there you have it people! Thanks for the interview Reggie and we wish you all the success that is yet to come.

Image by Troy Holden via Flickr

So I’m on my way to work this morning…gloomy because its raining out & I wished I coulda stayed in! I press play then random and Kanye’s “Runaway” is now playing…this song I would like to say is his best but this guy is simply great (musically). So for approximately 23 minutes I listened to “Runaway”…all I could see where images from the short film and that darn phoenix lol.
My drive was calm this morning; no horns or road rage….just me and Kanye. Needless to say when I arrived at work I wanted to do just what Kanye suggested & runaway…lol
With that said I wanna share a peek at my playlist….

*CeeLo feat 50cent- F You (remix)
*Tone Yates- #Twitterafterdark
*Rihanna- Only Girl
*Kanye West- Runaway
*Nicki Minaj- See Right Thru Me
*Rasheeda- My Duke

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• Kanye West with Pete Rock and Jay-Z and…, “The Joy” (theawl.com)

Hi gals and guys…this will is my very first post to any blog & it could not have been any other place(BLOG) but here! Every week I will be introducing or reintroducing you all to something new in the world of MUSIC…..I love music and not just Hip Hop or R&B. Music is a form a art; art influences and affects the senses and emotions. Anywho music is capable of a lot of things and thru this blog we will discover some likes and dislikes together…..Stay tuned for the latest music news,releases, videos,tour dates,etc…
If there is an artist you would like to see featured just drop me a email.. (imantionette @ gmail.com) <(No spaces)

So enjoy the next post ,comment,comment & subscribe….
Thanx ~Antionette

The Memphis natives ‘Three 6 Mafia’ has collaborated with Rick Ross (Ricky Rozay) on a new single titled ‘Dollar Signs!’ Yes with their known lyrics of talking about getting money, this song is colored in green. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Download: Three 6 Mafia ft. Rick Ross ‘Dollar Signs’

Yo Gotti released his new single ‘Look in the mirror remix’ feat. Wale, J. Cole, & Wiz Khalifa via Twitter today. I am loving the collaboration.

Click Here to Download!

Skewby is #Indeed no stranger to the BellaFerosh.com staff, as we work, we listen to his album “Proving You Wrong Since 1988!” We are impressed! And him spitting to Diddy’s “Angels,” just make us like him even more. Yes, this southern rapper got bars and by all means LYRICAL. Memphis should be proud, and HIP-HOP should be paying attention because “We Are!”

According to legend, this place is haunted! It has been featured on Oprah Winfrey and the most haunted houses TV show.

Thought you may like a look!

River Walk – Little Rock, AR

Live Bee Boxes – Down a side road in Arkansas!

Hot Springs – view from the Mountain Tower

Dawson taking a break on the porch of Craker Barrel!

The one and only Arlington! Since 1875 this hotel has hosted hundreds of balls and social events. Dignitaries,

politicians, actors, and prominent citizens have graced her doors…bathed in her Bath House…danced to her music and enjoyed her splendor, charm and beauty.  Today, guests from across the Nation and around the World bask in the colorful heritage of this grand southern hotel.

More of my travels to come! I have been so many places in the last 6 months that I have fallen behind in recording my journey on the blog.

October 2009 – San Francisco CA

March 2010 – Las Vegas NV

April 2010 – New York City NY

June 2010 – Montreal CANADA

July 2010 – Hot Springs and Little Rock AR

Life is a journey! Enjoy the ride!
Michelle

In between it all, I found time to work on  a new concept.  You will see the collage above of my daughter. She was dancing around the other day and I had a vision of this collage for her room.  There are so many wonderful collage ideas that will make a meaningful impact on your family.  This will be a timeless piece  of your memorabilia and pictures held together with a cohesive theme and color scheme.  I can incorporate words, handwriting and many pictures into a beautiful art piece that will be printed on Canvas and enhanced with traditional paints and/or gels.

Some ideas would be a collage of mom and baby with a lullaby or poem incorporated. A service member who would like to feature pictures and items of recognition.  Maybe a special anniversary or birthday. The possibilities are endless and this is one of a kind, made by my hand. From my heart to your family.

Please call me and we can talk about your collage or portrait needs. I am always happy to speak with you!

Have a great summer!

Michelle

This painting is of my two oldest children. I took the source photograph a few years back when they would still get that close to one another!

I have worked on this painting on and off for two years now and finally feel that I am finished with it! It will be printed on watercolor paper and hang in the stairwell of my home. I’ve felt for some time now that I need to paint some images of my own children.  As much as I adore all children, I sometimes put my own family’s pictures on hold to do everyone else’s! So I am relieved to have this one  ”Shy” finished!

Have a safe and fun weekend!

Till next time,

Michelle

I did the photography for the ad and had great little models! They all look beautiful in clothing from Spoiled Sweet Boutique

Germantown!  If you get a chance take a look and then stop by this great store for beautiful children’s clothing!

Kate had the most beautiful hair and smile! I felt that this image would look lovely as a painting.

Hope you all are enjoying a beautiful week!

Best,

Michelle

Enjoy the moment looking at all the colors of spring as I did when I choose a lovely tulip for my New York hostess at this flower market.

Happy Spring!
Michelle

This month I had a wonderful trip to New York and on the last day, I went to Greenwood Cemetery located in Brooklyn, NY. It was a last minute decision since I only had a couple of hours before I had to leave for the airport.  Anyway, I set out by city bus to visit this historic cemetery not knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised upon my arrival to find a lovely place, so peaceful and serene.

As I was meandering alone down one path to another, I came across this small grave stone, old and worn with only the word BABY inscribed on it.  I was struck with the simplicity and the unknown. Who’s baby? What year did this baby live and die? Was it a girl baby or a boy baby? Did the parents not care enough to add more detail or did they care very much and yet did not have the money to write anything more? So many questions left unanswered about this sweet little soul.  Yet someone cared, someone planted this beautiful tree right near this BABY to protect it and shelter it with it’s beautiful branches.  This tree blooms in spring and smiles upon BABY with it’s flowers. When fall comes I can only imagine that the leaves snuggle up close to BABY to give warmth.

I will let you ponder this scene for a moment and see if it strikes your heart as it has mine. Please comment if you wish to share.

Green-Wood  Cemetery

Founded in 1838 . One of America’s First Rural Cemeteries

National Historic Landmark

Brooklyn, NY